Humidifier



March 30, 1937. w. J. WOOLLEY HUMIDIFIER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 23, 1934 W, J. WOOLLEY HUMIDIFIER March 30, 1937.

Filed June 25', 1934 '2 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to air humidifiers and has more particular reference to humidifiers adapted to automatically supply moisture to the atmosphere of a room or dwelling without '5 requiring any attention by the occupant thereof.

It is well known that the relative moisture conten oi the air is greatly reduced during the colder months of the year and this dry condition is further aggravated within the dwelling by the employment of artificial heat, resulting in injury to the health of the occupants and to the contents of the dwelling. To overcome this dry air condition, pans filled with water have heretofore been placed on or suspended from the radiator heating l5 coils, and various wick appliances, and other devices have been used, all of which have required either constant refilling and attention by the occupants, or the use of supplemental water supply systems.

The instant invention contemplates the provision of an air humidifying device adapted to be readily attached to a radiator heating coil and which obtains its water supply from the heating system itself without the use of a supplemental water supply.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a humidifier adapted to be attached as a unit to the usual radiator heating coils without the use of special tools or the alteration-of the coils.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an air humidifying device in which a constant supply of water is maintained without the use of a supplemental water supply and without requiring any attention by the occupant of the room.

A further object of the invention is the provision of 'an air humidifying device adapted for use with the various types of heating systems, such as hot water, steam, vacuum, vapor or warm air,

now in. use for supplying artificial heat to rooms, omces, and dwellings.

A specific object of the invention is the provision of a receptacle containing water for humidification of the atmosphere in heat exchange relationship with a chamber containing vapor and condensate. The condensate is so positioned as tocontact a wall of the receptacle and the level of the condensate may be controlled by an automatic valve.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

On the drawings,

Fig. 1 illustrates a humidifier embodying the instant invention as applied to steam heating units of large capacity;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the "5 line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section through the thermostatically controlled steam trap;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a type of feed valve.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a radi- 1'6 ator section R on which is mounted a housing I, which housing comprises a top detachable unit 2 preferably open at the back, as indicated at 3, for the egress of the moistened air. Provided within the lower portion of the housing I is a condensing and heating unit 4 secured at 4' and. arranged to form a steam chamber 5 between the housing I and the humidifying unit 4.

A threaded plug 6 within a bushing l is provided to allow for the escape of entrapped air in b the steam chamber 5, this to be tightened and remain so when the air is permitted to escape from the chamber 5 when the humidifier is hung on the end section of the radiator opposite the customary air valve vent. :35

When, however, the humidifier is hung on the end section carrying the air valve, the plug 6 is removed and the customary air valve 8 is threaded into the bushing 1.

Attached to the base of the housing I is a ther- '0 mostatically controlled steam trap l2 (to be later described) to which is fastened a tube [3 connected by a union to a shut-off valve l4 having connection with feed valve I5 which is disposed within the humidifier housing and has an outlet 35 I6 within the condensing and heating unit 4. The operation is. such that the steam pressure entering the compartment 5 forces the water at the base of the compartment down through the thermostatic unit [2, through tube l3 past the 40 adjustment or shut-off valve l4 and into the feed 1 valve l5 from whence it is discharged into the humidifying chamber 4.

As will be later more fully shown and described, the valve l5 maintains a proper water level 45 (shown by the dotted lines L) compensating for the evaporation of the water as it takes place within the enclosure 4. In operation it will be manifest that the humidified air will be directed through the open back of the top cover 2 (in 5 Fig. 2) against the hot radiator section B, and it will be obvious that a constant supply of humidified air is thus provided for as long as the radiator is heated.

A pipe 25, Fig. 1, leading from the air valve. 55

tap at the top of the radiator section R is suitably connected to the heating member 4 at 26. The steam entering the chamber 5 heats the mem: ber 4 and then condenses in the bottom of hous- 5 ing I. Afltting I i is attached to the bottom of the housing I by means of a bushing or the like. The open end of the fitting I I is positioned above the bottom surface of the housing I so as to insure a deposit of condensate therein. Any surplus condensation will flowthrough fitting II out through pipe 21 and enter the radiator at 28. The I steam, of course, will force the water up through the pipe I3 and thence, as has been earlier described, into the heating chamber 4. It will be noted, however, that when an excessive steam temperature is encountered the temperature controlled thermostatic valve 29 within housing 30 will expand and close the opening 3|. This causes. the condensate to accumulate in chamber 5 until the heating member 4 is submerged in water, lessening its heating efliciency and causing heating space 5 to be lowered in temperature until normal temperature is reached at which time the thermostatic valve 29 will reopen. This 25 action of the valve 29 serves to protect the member 4 from becoming overheated and obviates boiling over of the water in the humidifier.

. The steam trap I2 comprises a body 40, Fig. 3, threaded to receive at its upper end a fitting 4I having annular openings 42 and a central opening to receive the tube I3. Within the housing 40 is a thermostatic bellows 43 which may be adjusted by valve stem 44 and an adjustment screw 45. The tube I3 is held in place by a compression cone 48 and its companion nut 41, the nut also serving as a seat for the valve stem 44. It will be manifest that thisarrangement will permit only water to rise in the tube I3 and that any escaping steam will cause bellowsto shut off supply pipe I3 at its entrance.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the supply valve previously referred to by numeral I5 comprises an upper and lower shell 50 and 5i, respectively,

water passes from shut off valve I4, previously.

described, into a chamber 54 through screen 55. The feed valve comprises a weight 80 having 50 ports 8| in registration with the water chamber in the upper shell 50. A bellows valve 82 is secured to the upper end of the weight 80. Provided within the bore 83 of, the weight '80 is a sleeve 84 having a central bore 85 within which 55 is a valve stem 86 provided at its upper end with a valve 81.

The mechanism which operates the valve 81 consists of an arm BI having a portion 63 adapted 0 to rest upon the arcuate portion 64 of a lever 65 pivoted at B6 in the bearing 67 which is part of the fitting 52. The arm 65 is in turn pivotally connected at .68 to an arm. 69 rigidly connected to a float III.

5 The lower shell 5i has soldered or otherwise suitably fastened to it an outlet I6. It will be understood that as the water level in the humidifier is lowered the float will drop the carrying arm or lever 65about the pivot 66 and raise arm BI 70 by virtue of the arcuate or slightly eccentric surface 64, thereby contacting stem 86 and actuating valve 81. This permits the water in the upper shell or chamber toflow intothe lower chamber until the proper level inthe humidifying chamher isestablished. The rising water in the. lower shell lifts float I0- and permits the valve 81 to seat as shown in Figure 4.

The lower shell 5| is also provided with an opening I2 which permits air to flow into the shelland water through opening I6 when valve 81 is closed. In order to provide against the occurrenceof a vacuum disturbing the operation of the various parts, the upper shell is provided with bellows valve 82 which collapses under pressure and expands in a vacuum. The collapse of the bellows 82 will lift the weight and open the valve 81 thus permitting water to flow into the lower half of the shell through bore85.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. An humidifying apparatus comprising, in combination with a steam heating system, a receptacle open to the atmosphere, a regulator for the passage of condensate to'said receptaclaa" chamber accessible to the steam in said system and in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means for controlling the accumulation of condensate in said chamber to control the temdiator and in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means providing for the passage of liquid from said chamber to said receptacle to be evaporated therefrom by the heat in said cham-v ber, and means associated with said chamber for controlling the level of thecondensate therein to thereby control the heating of said receptacle 3. An humidifying apparatus comprising, in

combination with a radiator containing heating fluid, a receptacle open to the atmosphere, a chamber accessible to the heating fluid of the radiator and in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means providing for the passage of liquid from said chamber to said receptacle to be evaporated therefrom by the heat in said chamber, conduit means for conducting excess heating fluid from said chamber to said radiator, and means associated with the last said means and responsive to the condition of said fluid for preventing the return of said excess heatingfluid.

4. An humidifying apparatus comprising, in combination with a radiator containing heating fluid, a receptacle open to the atmosphere, a chamber accessible to the heating fluid of the radiator andin heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means providing for the passage of liquid from said chamber to said receptacle to be evaporated therefrom by the heat in said chamber, conduit means for conducting excess heating fluid from said chamber to said radiator, and temperature controlled means associated turn of said excess heating fluid.

5. An humidifying apparatus comprising, in

combination with a radiator containing heating fluid, a receptacle open to the atmosphere, a regulator for the passage of liquid to the receptacle, a chamber accessible to the heating fluid of the radiator and in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, conduit means for conducting excess heating fluid from said chamber to the radiator, a conduit leading from said chamber to the regulator, means for intermittently shutting ofi said conduit, and means associated with said conduit means and responsive to a condition of said fluid for automatically preventing the return of said excess heating fluid.

6. An humidifying apparatus comprising, in combination with a radiator containing heating fluid, a receptacle open to the atmosphere, a regulator for the passage of liquid to the receptacle, a chamber accessible to the heating fluid of the radiator and in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, conduit means for conducting excess heating fluid from said chamber to the radiator, a conduit leading from said chamber to the regulator, means forintermittently shutting off said conduit, and means associated with said conduit means for automatically preventing the return of said excess heating fluid, each of said two last named means comprising a temperature controlled valve.

'7. The combination set forth in claim 3, said chamber having such connections as make it 019- tionally connectable at one or more points in said system.

8. The combination set forth in claim 2, means for intermittently shutting off the liquid flow through the means providing for the passage of liquid from said chamber to said receptacle.

WILLIAM J. WOOLLEY. 

